Top 25 Experiences for Saratoga 2024

Summer is here, and the 2024 Saratoga Race Course meeting is underway! If you’re planning a visit to Saratoga Springs, this is required reading. This list was initially created in 2017 and has been updated annually. My husband and I bought a home in Saratoga Springs in 2018, so we are “locals” now, but the list also includes input from Starlight Racing and StarLadies Racing partners, newsletter subscribers, and Saratoga-based friends.

Saratoga Race Course offers a unique experience because everything happens in one town. People live, work, and play here. This makes it a vibrant and eclectic destination, whether you go to the track or not, and there’s something for everyone!

Then once the races are over, Saratoga Springs really comes to life! You’ll find fans, owners, trainers, and jockeys enjoying dinner or heading to one of the many lively bars or clubs. Check out our guide below and click on the links for more information. I’ve reorganized the list this year and grouped related activities together. Brunch is such a big deal in Saratoga Springs that it has its own separate section at the end. Let’s kick things off with Entertainment, which, of course, includes a trip to the track!

Feel free to message me at info@donnabrothers.com with your favorite things to do in Saratoga Springs.

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Entertainment Options (#s 1-7)

1. The Track

Most of you will be in town to go to the track, so let’s start there. There are so many seating options at Saratoga Race Course, so when planning your visit, be sure to visit the Saratoga Race Course “tickets” site before deciding. The newly renovated Stella Artois Spa Verandas will set you back $2,700 for the day, but they can accommodate up to 50 people, and food is included. This comes out to $54 per person, so it’s really not bad—if you don’t have to pay for it alone! However, there is no air-conditioning. The Paddock Suite is fully air-conditioned with a great view of the paddock (a.k.a. the “tree house” for its unparalleled bird’s eye view of the saddling area). It’s a great place for a large group, but you need a minimum of 60 people to reserve the entire space. However, most days, the entire space is not taken by one group, and you can purchase single or group tickets here. Incidentally, no trip to Saratoga is complete without a drink from the Big Red Spring. While it may not be the tastiest beverage you’ll have in town, it’s a tradition. Big Red can be found toward the back of the picnic area at Saratoga Race Course, situated beneath a large white pavilion.

2. Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)

SPAC is an amphitheater located just on the edge of town on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park. It presents summer performances of all varieties of music, plus comedy, dance, and opera. Even before the meet started, SPAC hosted Lainey Wilson, Hootie and the Blowfish, and the Dave Matthews Band, among others. In July the New York City Ballet will be gracing the stage of SPAC with seven different engagements between July 9 – 13, followed by The Philadelphia Orchestra with guest performers (like John Legend and Yo-Yo Ma). Their dates span from July 31 to August 17. Before, between, and after all that amazing talent, the 2024 summer calendar includes acts like Third Eye Blind, Sammy Hagar, Train with REO Speedwagon, Foreigner & Styx, among many, many others. Click here for the full calendar of events.

3. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (NMRHOF)

After the film, you can learn more about all of the HOF inductees by using the museum’s interactive platform. The NMRHOF offers unique tours throughout the summer, and they will host dozens of events. This summer they are hosting five different special exhibits that will be in residence for a limited time. You truly could spend an entire day at the Racing Museum and never run out of interesting content.

5. Morning Training

Morning training. Even without a racing license, you can watch the horses train either from the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track or the grandstand at Saratoga. You can upgrade this experience by doing “Breakfast at Saratoga” (every live racing day from 7:00 to 9:30 am, excluding Travers Day and Labor Day) or the “Breakfast & Breeding Farm Tour” (select days). You can find the full schedule here.

6. Saratoga Lake

This is a great option for a Monday or Tuesday morning or afternoon. Rent a kayak, try your hand at paddle boarding, rent the “Hammocraft”, or just hang out and enjoy the sunshine. A lovely spot for lunch can be found at Lago by Druthers (used to be 550 Waterfront), where you can enjoy a meal on the water. Click here for “8 Must-Do Activities When You Visit Saratoga Lake”.

7. Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale

Experience the ultimate must-attend event of the summer. At the renowned Saratoga Select yearling sale, you’ll find yourself immersed in a mesmerizing bidding scene and a vibrant social setting all at once. This prestigious sale creates an unparalleled atmosphere, but the best way to attend is as a Starlight/StarLadies partner, where you’ll indulge your senses from our exclusive, private area. If you’d like to learn more about Starlight or StarLadies Racing, please message me. Save the dates: Evenings of August 5 & 6.

Lunch Options (#s 8-12)

8. Scallions

A Saratoga favorite, Scallions is a gourmet lunch destination that has been around for decades. Scallions is known for its homemade soups, paninis, and salads, but they offer loads of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, too, including a variety of sandwiches and salad combinations. While the food is top-notch, it’s still a casual enough atmosphere. They are open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for lunch service.

9. Morrisey’s Lounge & Bistro

If you love sidewalk cafe dining Morrissey’s Lounge & Bistro is for you. They also have a very eclectic menu offering everything from salads to sandwiches to sushi. If it’s too warm for outdoor dining, the Lounge is lovely and newly renovated just a few years ago. Located in the Adelphi Hotel, this is a place where you will find something for everyone. Incidentally, Morrissey’s also has a beautiful bar and is a great place to stop for a drink before or after dinner.

10. Cardona’s

This is the perfect spot to pick up lunch for the day; it is an old-school Italian deli that does carry out. This place used to be Roma’s but was bought out by Cardona’s, a family-owned Italian specialty foods market and catering company serving the Capital Region since 1945. At Cardona’s, you’ll find genuine Italian food made fresh daily. They have a hot bar, make sandwiches to order, and have a small Italian market that focuses on Italian imports. Check out their menu here.

11. 9 Miles East

As a local, this is the place that I eat at most often—or grab carry-out from. Casual. Super casual. The pizza is the best I’ve ever had, made from organic wheat and a homemade sourdough starter mixed with a fork mixer from Italy, which slowly aerates their sourdough pizza and roll dough without heating it up. So your crust tastes better. Your sandwiches taste better too. And the salads are so fresh. It’s called 9 miles east because they are a farm 9 miles east of Saratoga that outgrew its farm store space and moved to Saratoga. By the way, Wednesday night is Burger Night, and they do pizza delivery, too! They also cover all 3 meals of the day—and snacks. They even serve beer and wine. I’ll see you there.

12. Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria

A great spot to see the trainers between the morning workouts at the Oklahoma track and the races in the afternoon. Spring Street Deli is a local corner deli with great pizzas and all-day breakfast and lunch. The entire menu is available all day, every day, so if you are a breakfast-for-dinner person or perhaps a lunch-for-breakfast type, this is the place for you! They deliver or you can dine-in with tables inside and out. Lots of sandwiches named for famous racehorses and trainers. They are located at 132 Spring Street, walking distance from the Shoppes of Broadway, local hotels, and Saratoga Race Course.

Shopping  (#13)

13. Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

I’m taking a severe deviation from past recommendations here because I appreciate shopping at Woodbury so much! While there are many wonderful and unique clothing boutiques, art galleries, souvenir shops, and farmer’s markets in Saratoga Springs (that I also frequent), I have friends who come to visit me in Saratoga Springs just to make the trip to the Woodbury Outlets. 

The list of luxury-brand stores you’ll find at Woodbury is extensive. A few of my favorites are Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Theory, David Yurman, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Zadig & Voltaire. They also have lots of high-end men’s stores (like Isaia, Zegna, Hugo Boss, etc.). 

Woodbury is a two-hour drive from Saratoga Springs, so it’s a Day Trip, not a quick outing. They open at 10:00 a.m., so we leave Saratoga at 8:00 a.m. to get there when they open. This is when it’s the least crowded and the stores are still in good order. Later in the day, there can be relatively long lines to get into some of the stores (namely Gucci, Burberry, and Prada), and it gets more and more crowded as the day goes on. They are open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and have a massive food court to fuel your shopping.

Exercise  (#s 14-17)

14. Saratoga Spa State Park (SPAC)

Visit Saratoga Spa State Park to walk the loop of the Avenue of the Pines or, better yet, walk the trails. Just depends on your preference for an asphalt paved path vs. pea gravel and dirt. The lithium emitted from Saratoga’s natural springs is alive and well at the park and you’ll just feel better for having spent some time there. The asphalt paved path around the golf course is 1.8 miles. You can park in the parking lot between the Gideon Putnam Hotel and the Roosevelt Baths. Bonus: Tucked away in the park, you’ll find the Victoria Pool, which is a beautiful public pool. Opens at 10:00 a.m. but the line to get in may start forming as early as 6:00 a.m. as there are roughly 100 lounge chairs and 21 umbrellas with a maximum capacity of 344 people. Many people bring their own lounge chair. While there is usually an admission fee for the Victoria Pool, NY State Governor Hochul has announced that pool entry is free at state parks throughout the 2024 summer season. Regular park entrance fees still apply. For more details and updates, you can follow Saratoga Spa State Park on Facebook. Victoria Pool has food and beverage services, showers, locker rooms, and restrooms. You can learn more about Saratoga Spa State Park here. 

15. Hiking

Give yourself plenty of time because you’ll want to reach the summit for the view (photo here), and that will take you about an hour and a half. It’s worth it!

16. Yoga

If you love yoga, you’ve come to the right place. Saratoga has some great options, but if you like a little detox with your yoga, then you have to visit The Hot Yoga Spot on Woodlawn Ave. Hot Yoga Spot offers REALLY hot yoga. Ok, don’t go if you don’t like really hot yoga. But if you’re into the health benefits of heat and sweating, this is your spot. They do offer some “warm” vinyasa classes, too, so you don’t have to turn up the heat too much!

For those who love yoga but hate sweating—Yoga Mandali is for you. It says it right there on their website: Yoga for Everybody. And it’s located in the heart of Saratoga Springs, right on Broadway. Coffee first at Uncommon Grounds (Voted best bagels in the Albany area: “Capital Region Living” Bestie 2023).

17. Metabolic Saratoga

If high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more your thing, we’ve got you covered. Metabolic offers circuit training group classes. Because each of the six rows or “circuits” have increasingly heavier weights, the class is suitable for anyone from “fabulous but not fit” to “fit and fabulous”. They also offer eight classes per day on weekdays and have four class options on Saturdays (they are closed on Sunday). You can check out their website here.

Dinner  (#s 18-23)

18. Osteria Danny

Osteria Danny is now on Resy! They have never been easy to get into, but their presence on Resy makes it much easier to check for availability. “Danny’s” is renowned for its simple menu comprised of amazing Italian food and house-made pasta, which is made from semolina flour shipped from Italy—and made by chef and proprietor Danny. The front of the house is run by Danny’s wife, Patti. And as good as the savory foods are, the desserts may be the best in New York. Their whole menu is freshly made daily, in-house. What are you waiting for? Get on Resy or call them directly (518-423–7022). Now.

19. Solevo Kitchen & Social

Solevo opened in 2018 and has quickly become a Top 5 restaurant for Saratoga residents. The owners are Joey Solevo and his chef-brother Ronald Solevo, who are fourth-generation Italian restaurateurs from Connecticut. They brought their recipes and their skills to Saratoga Springs because they loved Saratoga. Saratoga loves them back. Because of Covid and indoor seating restrictions, they had to get creative with outdoor seating, and the effect has been an amazing outdoor seating area. But, again, plan ahead—like well ahead: Book on Resy. See their website here.

20. Siro’s

Siro’s is now on OpenTable, making it much easier to check availability. While Siro’s has endured many ownership changes since it first opened in 1945, one comforting staple endures: Renowned Maitre’D Michael Stone is in the house. This will be Stone’s 36th year running Siro’s, which is owned by the ownership group of Peter Spitalny and Jake Spitalny, father and son proprietors from Albany, NY. Siro’s “backyard” is a fan favorite. Simultaneously vibrant, casual, and glamorous with full tables and a live band. The dining room offers a delicious variety of some of their longtime staples and chef’s whim dishes based on the freshest produce, seafood, and meats available. However, Siro’s is also one of the priciest restaurants in the area so take a sponsor or hit the Pick 6 before you go. Book on OpenTable or call: (518) 584- 4030.

21. Seneca

Seneca was new to this list last year, but it’s a keeper. We’ve come to love Seneca for its hamburgers, but it is so much more than a burger joint. Owned by the husband-and-wife team of Mike and Michelle Spain, Seneca offers an open kitchen that allows diners to see Mike and his talented staff manning the wood-fired grill upon which many of his original recipes are centered. Mike brings his fine dining background and his love for fresh, local ingredients to the perfect audience and creates cuisine for diners who love and appreciate creatively rustic meals. Seneca also offers lots of tapas—small plates ideal for sharing. We love their Wood-Grilled Oysters and Shrimp Po-Boy Deviled Eggs. Book on Resy.

22. Kindred

“A fun, funky wine bar in Saratoga Springs offering boutique wine and deserving fare.” Their words. What we love about Kindred is their dedication to offering the best organic, biodynamic wines available and the hip-casual vibe. Owned by husband and wife Ryan and Sonja McFadden, who also own the Henry Street Taproom (maybe the best hamburgers in Saratoga) next door. “We celebrate small batch wine producers, using traditional wine-making methods with little-to-no additives. In addition, we love craft cocktails and beer. Our food focuses on small, shareable plates, and our Chefs prepare everything in traditional wood-fired ovens that sit right in the dining room – so you can watch them work their magic while you eat!” Book on Resy. Visit their Instagram page here.

23. The Wishing Well

The Wishing Well is a local stalwart with a great Happy Hour (nightly from 4 – 6:00 p.m.) and live piano music in an iconic bar setting. In their dining room, you’ll find heirloom tomatoes and corn on the cob, served family-style (and always fresh during the summer season) along with your choice of entree. Lobster is flown in daily from Maine, and the butter-poached lobster… I mean, really? Need I say more? Visit their website here, contact them via phone at (518) 584-7640, or book on Resy.

Rest & Recovery  (#s 25-25)

24. Roosevelt Baths & Spa

There’s a good reason this site makes my list every year. Roosevelt Baths and Spa: Naturally, a spa destined to serve generations with healing experiences would evolve in such a peaceful place as Saratoga Springs, a haven infused with history and hydrotherapy. Established in 1935, the Roosevelt Baths & Spa resort opened thanks to President Franklin Roosevelt’s visionary act to preserve the Saratoga springs. Authentic and historic today, the Roosevelt Baths & Spa offers a variety of spa services, but none would be complete without soaking in the healing waters. Make your reservations well in advance of your visit—they book up fast!

25. Yaddo Gardens

Yaddo is a retreat for artists located on a 400-acre estate in Saratoga Springs, and it’s 2 blocks away from the track. Its mission is to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment. Following a multimillion-dollar restoration, Yaddo opened again in 2019, only to be closed throughout 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. Finally, in 2022 the gardens were reopened for the public. You can walk the gardens and learn more about a self-guided tour here. This summer, Yaddo offers Yoga classes on select Sundays through October. You can find the full schedule here. 

Brunch

In alphabetical order because they are all amazing!

The Country Corner Cafe, while not technically brunch, the cafe needed to be on this list. One, it’s open 7 days a week (7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), and two, it has been popular (like a line out the door every day) since we’ve been coming to Saratoga, and that’s been 30+ years. Also, their menu has evolved with the times. Where at one time your options were eggs, meat, or something filled with gluten and/or sugar, they now offer “On the Lighter Side” and vegan options while still serving up their good old-fashioned Chicken & Waffles and their “Country Corner Breakfast Specialties.”

Hattie’s offers a decidedly Southern menu and the best fried chicken this side of the Mississippi. Their brunch menu offers many of the normal items you expect at brunch but features items such as Deviled Eggs, Beignets, a Cajun Omelet, and, of course, Fried Chicken and waffles. Brunch is only available on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Horseshoe Inn, across the street from the track on Nelson. Brunch is only offered on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., but they are known for serving the coldest breakfast beer in town. Don’t judge. You’re in Saratoga. With a brunch menu that includes the Superfecta Breakfast and the Funny Cide Benny, this is the perfect place to get ready for the track. It’s definitely a laid-back restaurant that also has a jam-packed happy hour & live music after the races.

The Local Pub & Tea House probably has the most diverse menu, offering something for everyone at brunch. If you’re craving a hamburger and french fries, this is your spot. But they also offer Salads, Fish & Chips, Poutine ‘Local’ Fries, and their Irish Breakfast, along with all of the usual suspects for a breakfast/brunch/lunch menu. They offer tons of gluten-free options, including sandwiches and burgers with gluten-free bread/bun.

Max London’s—Bless you! Finally, a place that honors brunch enough to serve it daily (from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – closed on Mondays). And they offer everything from Mrs. London’s Granola Bowl to a Croissant Breakfast Sandwich to Blue Corn-Buttermilk Pancakes to Breakfast Pizza. Does anyone else hear a full choir singing Hallelujah?

The Merc, like Max London’s above, also respects brunch enough to serve it daily (Wednesday – Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed on Tuesday)! By the way, both The Marc and Max London’s are on Broadway with lots of indoor seating and a few sidewalk tables. The Merc menu features Avocado Toast, Truffle Fries, 3 different Salads, and all of the traditional breakfast/brunch fare. Importantly, they also offer bottomless Mimosas and the very tropical Painkiller. If you know, you know.

Morrissey’s Lounge & Bistro at the Adelphi Hotel makes the list again because they are downtown and have an eclectic brunch menu with items like Crab Cake Burger, Matcha Pancakes, Banana French Toast, and Shakshuka side-by-side on the menu (so be sure to take a look at all of your options!). They also have some pretty amazing brunch cocktails. Like most brunch spots, they only serve brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sweet Mimi’s serves brunch; they just don’t necessarily call it that. They serve breakfast and lunch simultaneously from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily. They are closed on Tuesday & Wednesday. Sweet Mimi’s is very popular, so you will very likely have to wait to be seated, but it’s worth the wait, and they know how to help you wait—without waiting. You can put your name in and then go walk around town for a bit. They’ll text you once your table is ready and you have 10 minutes to get there. Almost everything in downtown Saratoga is within a 10-minute walk, so this is a very good option.

Cheers & Enjoy 🥂

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Honorable Mentions

• Saratoga Auto Museum
• Saratoga Spa State Park Bird Conservation Areas 
• Saratoga Spa Golf
• Berry picking (and hand melons, apples, lavender…too) 
• Four Seasons Natural Foods and Cafe (full deli, smoothie and juice bar)

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